Youth Program Education Assistant I - Whitaker PRTF

Youth Program/Education Assistant I (S)

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.

We are currently recruiting for multiple Youth Program Education Assistant I's for all shifts for Whitaker Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) in Butner, NC. Youth Program Education Assistant I's provide direct support and facilitate daily programming activities for intellectually/developmentally disabled teens and young adults who exhibit extreme behavioral challenges. Job duties include but are not limited to providing supervision and ensuring safety of individuals, assisting in educational and/or vocational programming, facilitating indoor/outdoor leisure activities and encouraging participation.

Pay Grade: MH05

Salary Range: $37,558.00 - $56,336.00

A Sign-on bonus of $2,500 may be offered to the successful applicant(s) of this posting, contingent on the 2025-2026 Budget Approval.

Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement.

This position is designated as mandatory and must report or stay over during adverse weather events.

We will be recruiting for multiple positions with this post. Your application will be considered for all noted open positions.

Shift Premiums:

• Day: 5% weekend shift premium
• Evening: 10% shift premium plus an additional 5% weekend shift premium
• Night: 10% shift premium plus an additional 5% weekend shift premium

*Eligibility for Sign-on Bonus*

To qualify for the Sign-on Bonus, a newly hired permanent full-time or permanent part-time employee must work 30 to 40 hours per week to be eligible. Those who are eligible and working less than 40 hours a week will receive a prorated rate.

An employee is not eligible for a sign-on bonus if:

• The employee has held a position in the North Carolina State government, including the judicial system, or the University of North Carolina system, within the last 12 months (the employee shall remain ineligible for 12 months from the separation date)
• The employee has previously received a sign-on bonus from any State agency
• DHHS has paid any contract placement or recruitment fees.

All Sign-on Bonuses are contingent upon budget and final eligibility determination as of the effective date of hire. Additional information regarding the Sign-on Policy can be found here.

About Central Regional Hospital (CRH):

CRH is a State-of-the Art psychiatric hospital located in Butner, NC. Our location is ideal with four seasons, mild temperatures and provides an easy commute to the N.C. mountains or beaches. Butner possesses small town charm but is within 30 minutes of a major metropolitan area including Research Triangle Park, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, and Durham, NC. The people we serve are at the heart of our facility. Our team is critical to the mission of the hospital. We strive to create an environment in which every team member contributes to the overall success of the hospital to positively impact the lives of those around them and the individuals we serve.

Supplemental Contact Information:

DHHS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions with the most qualified individuals. Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.

Positions in the Division of State Operated Healthcare Facilities shall be subject to pre-employment drug testing and criminal record background checks. Also, the use of tobacco products of any kind including vapor products are prohibited from our campuses. All employees are required to adhere to the facility's Vaccination Policy.

Application Process

• Information should be provided in the appropriate areas, to include the following: Education, including high school and all degrees obtained, Work Experience, and Certificates & Licenses. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information.
• Answers to Supplemental Questions are not a substitute for providing all relevant information within the body of your application. To receive credit for the supplemental questions, you must provide supporting information within the "Work Experience" section of the application, to support your answers.
• Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account. Upon the closing date, applications are "Under Review" and will be screened by Human Resources for the qualified applicants. The hiring process may take several weeks.
• Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application. The State of North Carolina/Office of State Human Resources uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent. For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at

Veteran's and National Guard Preference

• Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications
• Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing
• Applicants who are former member of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service, must attach a copy of the DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application

ADA Accommodations

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), DHHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, DHHS will ensure that people with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided with reasonable accommodation. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below.

Physical requirements will be discussed during the interview including but not limited to lifting, kneeling, walking up and down stairs, and ability to lift 50 pounds.

Applicants will be communicated via email only for updates on the status of their application. If there are any questions about this posting other than your application status, please contact HR at View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an "equivalent combination of education and experience." If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Associate's degree in human services or related degree from an appropriately accredited institution; or High school or General Educational Development (GED) diploma and two years of directly related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Necessary Special Qualifications As required by facility, CPR certification and listing as a Nurse Aide I or Nurse Aide II by the NC Division of Health Service Regulation required prior to providing direct patient care.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

North Carolina Department of Public Safety